Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/25/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The American people are waiting in exasperation and terror as members of Congress sit on their hands rather than pass nationwide gun safety legislation.” – Governor Murphy responding to the Texas school shooting
TOP STORY: CD-5 Flashpoint: Pallotta v. De Gregorio Debate
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 2,031,890 cases and 30,577 confirmed fatalities (and 333,766 probable cases and 3,063 probable fatalities) as of Tuesday (an increase of 4,417 confirmed cases, 1,492 probable cases, 21 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 10 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.16. There are 891 total hospitalizations, with 109 in intensive care units, and 168 discharges in the past day. There are 6,904,644 people fully vaccinated.
Following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, law enforcement presence will be increased at schools throughout the state.
Disability advocates are fighting to improve Pinelands’ parks, according to Burlington County Times.
Atlantic County Prosecutor nominee Reynolds wants to build trust in the office, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
An alleged assault by an investigator is leading to questions about the Bergen County Sherriff’s appointments, according to the Bergen Record.
Camden County’s health hub has begun administering COVID-19 boosters to children ages 5-11.
Mercer County Community College introduced a AI training program for professionals.
Former Ocean County GOP Chairman Gilmore raised questions about the Sheriff’s SUV use, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Not everyone is happy about Passaic County Tech’s $25M expansion, according to NorthJersey.com.
A ransomware attack disabled Somerset County’s email system, according to TAPinto.
Amazon is looking to reduce warehouse space in the state, according to ROI-NJ.
ICYMI: Murphy announced appointments to AAPI Commission; Murphy announced proposed statewide police licensing program; Murphy declared emergency over baby formula shortage
Former Senator Weinberg formed a PAC to support progressive initiatives, organizations, and candidates.
Former Ocean County GOP Chairman Gilmore is running again for chair, challenging Sheriff Mastronardy, saying ‘we need to make Ocean County great again’, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The Hunterdon County GOP selected Raritan Committeeman Kuhl to fill the vacancy left by former Commissioner Holt.
In CD3, GOP primary candidate Bob Healey was endorsed by the NJSPBA.
In CD5, GOP primary candidates Nick DeGregorio and Frank Pallotta faced off at a debate, with both candidates taking aim at Rep. Gottheimer and President Biden.
In CD7, Republicans are competing for the chance to unseat Rep. Malinowski, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: Christie, Chiesa, Porrino joined MAD advisory board; Pallotta released text message series slamming BCRO leaders; AOC popped up in Morris GOP commissioner race; In CD7, Malinowski demands; Kean denounce Stefanik endorsement; in CD5, Zisa slammed Rep. Gottheimer’s GOP primary mailer; in CD11, Anderson announced several endorsements; Flora took aim at Kean as he attempts to position himself ‘conservative choice’; 32BJ released endorsements; in CD3, GOP primary pits Healey against Smith
The Republican budget plan calls for updated tax brackets, according to NJ Monitor.
The NJMVC won an international award for its partnership with the First Lady’s Office in bringing services to underserved communities.
The LD10 legislators introduced legislation requiring public schools to post all resources in libraries to their website for parental transparency.
The NJBIA expressed opposition to legislation setting price controls on pharmaceutical companies.
The NJ Clean Energy Coalition urged Governor Murphy to equitably invest federal infrastructure and jobs funding.
ICYMI: Senate GOP slammed ANCHOR program; Coughlin wants ‘largest tax relief program in state history‘; Murphy to nominate Schuster as DOC Ombudsman; Schepisi expressed concern about Roe
In Hillside, Acting AG Platkin announced charges against a police officer for allegedly conspiring with a gang member to commit official misconduct.
In Long Branch, Mayor Pallone responded to illegal pop-up parties, saying those responsible ‘will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law’, as the town braces for another illegal beach party, according to NJ101.5.
In Asbury Park, a police officer filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, the Police Department is beefing up staffing ahead of summer, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernardsville, the council addressed the transparency of downtown redevelopment plans, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham, nearly 1k feet of waterlines will be replaced, according to NJ Hills.
In Dover, Democrats will see primary challenges in all four wards, according to NJ Hills.
In Edison, Mayor Joshi’s first budget stabilizes taxes and begins major revitalization projects, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, three Ward 5 residents filed a notice of intent to recall Councilman Cohen, according to Hudson County View.
In Lebanon, the town streamlined a path for EV charging and parking, according to NJ Hills.
In Linden, the lawsuit between Senate President Scutari and the town over ‘serial absenteeism’ as prosecutor was settled, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Jersey City, the Women’s Advisory Committee is taking shape, according to TAPinto.
In Metuchen, the town is eyeing a new EMS center, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Ocean City, guarded beaches were announced for Memorial Day weekend, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the state censured Judge Guzman, saying she was ineligible to serve, according to Paterson Press.
In Rutherford, the town will host its first Pride Fest on June 4th, according to the Bergen Record.
In Saddle River, the town says an official pushed a ‘personal agenda’ in the affordable housing fight, according to the Bergen Record.
In South Orange, health officer John Festa will retire, according to TAPinto.
In Trenton, the feds are probing the environmental health department in a time fraud case, according to the Trentonian.
In Warren Township, the Warren County GOP chair commented on the municipal party rift, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Newark, Fontoura endorsed Silva; in Morristown, hundreds gathered for Roe rally; in Morris, Mancuso faces primary challenge; in Newark, Onyema ready for runoff against Kelly, Bankston welcomes showdown in runoff election
AROUND THE WEB:
First month of adult-use cannabis sales in N.J. brings in $24 million
Sophie Nieto Munoz, NJ Monitor
- One month into the nascent cannabis industry’s launch, consumers have purchased $24 million in recreational weed, regulators said during a meeting Tuesday where more permits for dispensaries were approved.
‘Our nation grieves with them’: NJ officials react to deadly Texas school shooting
USA TODAY Atlantic Digital Team
- Another tragedy struck the country on Tuesday, this time at an elementary school in Texas. Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas was the site of a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of at least 18 students and one teacher, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. The gunman was also killed, state officials announced.
Those who live in shadow of Turnpike extension speak out against $4.7 billion widening project
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Hudson County residents who live in the shadow of the elevated highway that serves the Holland Tunnel brought their concerns Tuesday morning to the decision-makers who could OK a $4.7 billion widening of the New Jersey Turnpike extension.
Mayor Baraka: There is ‘no excuse’ for the county board of election’s incompetence | Opinion
Ras Baraka
- This month’s election in Newark was tainted by a game of three-card monte by the Essex County Board of Elections, which shuffled polling places just days before the election, leaving many of my city’s residents to guess where to vote.
Abuse of disabled people in N.J. group homes persists as accountability lags, watchdog says
Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Aidan Burke came to school earlier this month with scabbed-over scratches on his chest, grayish bruises on his back and a deep, strawberry-red abrasion line circling his neck. The 19-year-old young man with autism cannot speak, leaving the origin of his injuries a mystery.
Tom Cotton endorses De Gregorio in NJ-05
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) is backing Nick De Gregorio in the June 7th primary for New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District Republican nomination.
Democrats playing 3-D chess in Republican primaries? | Mulshine
Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger
- In last week’s Pennsylvania primaries, most of the attention was focused on the Republican US Senate primary race between Dave McCormick and TV’s “Dr. Oz,” formerly of Bergen County.
Watchdog urges N.J. to expand care for residents with developmental or intellectual disabilities
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- Alex Guedes has complex neurodevelopmental disabilities and medical problems that require 24-hour skilled nursing care. The 21-year-old Atlantic County man has autism, Down syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition that makes him susceptible to infections and injuries that can require surgery to fix. He’s on a feeding tube and frequently gulps air, a disability-related behavior that can cause a potentially fatal obstruction in his bowels.
Hey, N.J.: Find some money and fix dangerous, ugly Route 139 in Jersey City | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- It was February 1994. I’d been elected to my first term in the New Jersey Assembly, and sworn into office a week earlier. That morning at work everyone was buzzing about the terrible tragedy that had taken place the night before.
Morristown police assist federal probe of alleged Dominican money laundering scheme
Morristown Green
- A Dominican man has been extradited to the United States to face money laundering charges, based on a task force investigation that included Morristown police. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson and his bureau with assisting the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service in making a case against Jonathan Humeau-Hernandez, 41.
NJ hiring managers are getting creative to find bus drivers amid shortage. Here’s how
Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com
- Hiring bonuses. Gas card giveaways. New legislation. In New Jersey, lawmakers, transit officials and private companies are getting creative to hire drivers as companies, schools and agencies clamor nationwide to fill the shortage of those holding commercial drivers licenses, commonly referred to as CDLs.
Princeton board fires professor in sexual misconduct investigation
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post
- Princeton University’s board of trustees voted Monday to fire Joshua Katz, a tenured professor in the classics department, for failing to fully cooperate with a sexual-misconduct investigation that his supporters say is retaliation for his viewpoints. Katz sparked controversy for a 2020 essay opposing faculty proposals to combat racism at the university after the murder of George Floyd.
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